Moringa oleifera ….Monster…. Almost

If you have a warm back yard, think twice before you plant a Moringa tree.

Is it edible? Yes, most of it. Is it nutritious? Amazingly so, flowers, seeds and leaves. Does it have medical applications? Absolutely, saving lives on a daily basis. Can it rescue millions from starvation? Yes, many times yes. So, what’s the down side? They don’t tell you that under good conditions it grows incredibly fast and large, overwhelming what ever space you allot to it. It can grow to monster proportions in one season.

Leaves eaten raw or cooked

I live in central Florida exactly — and I mean exactly — on the line between temperate and subtropical. I have not experienced a hard freeze here in seven years probably because I sit on a hill and have a 30,000 gallon pool to moderate temperatures. Around year two I got two food trees, Katuk and Moringa. You can read about the Katuk in another article.

It is an understatement to say the Moringa grows more than 10 feet a year. I have two trees and every year I cut off 15- to 20-foot branches. It requires constant attention. Despite its impressive growth pattern, it’s an extremely brittle tree. A man can easily break off a branch four inches through,…. It’s nice to feel like Hercules now and then.

The easy-breaking branches also lend themselves to a common-heard phrase in India when someone is being a little too demanding: “Don’t push me up a Moringa tree.” But, I will admit both trees withstood 100 mph winds three times in the hurricanes of 2004.

I want to impress upon you that my reference as to how fast this tree grows is a gross understatement, no matter how overstated it might seem. While gigantic growth is great for hungry poor countries, it is a significant headache for a suburban yard, even a 40-acre ranch. Unattended, the tree grows into a spindly giant. If you don’t attend it twice a month you will have a monster on your property, and I have two of them, one self-seeded. Should you choose to grow it, just know what you are getting in for. Now days I cut both trees back to a three foot stump every spring, the same as where they are cultivated. These things grow so fast, I speculate you could get a crop of leaves off them in Northern Canada. Then over winter it inside. It might make a real nice potted, pruned indoor tree for northern climes. That said, let’s view the virtues of the Moringa.

This tree is one of the world’s most useful plants. A native to the southern foothills of the Himalayas, Moringa oleifera (mo-RIN-ga oh-lee-IF-er-uh) is cultivated around earth’s tropical belt. Moringa is grown for its leaves, fruits, seed, sap and roots. It provides a variety of food and medicine. The young fruits pods, called drumsticks, can be cooked many ways, often like green beans, and have an asparagus taste. A superior cooking oil comes from the seeds, and the light oil can be used to lubricate delicate mechanisms. The leaves are extensively used as a vegetable — I have a restaurant-owning Chinese friend who makes a great soup out of them — and the roots are made into a condiment resembling horseradish in taste, but use it sparingly for it contains an alkaloid, spirochin. A blue dye can be made from its sap. Even a health drink is made from the tree. M. oleifera also might have a great future in water purification, a prime cause of illness in the world. And that is just the start of the amazing overgrown weed called “The Miracle Tree.”

Dry moringa seeds

There is only one family of Moringa trees, and only 13 members, making it one of the smallest groups. Of all 13, M. oleifera is the one most cultivated and usually the one referred to when talking about the edible Moringa. The name Moringa comes from the Tamil/Malayalam word murungakka. A search using “murungakkai” will produce many recipes. Oleifera means oil bearing. In the Philippines it is called “mother’s best friend,” in Florida, “the horseradish tree,” and in India “the drumstick tree.” In India it is an absolute must-have plant in the kitchen garden. In Thialand they are used as living fences.

From a food point of view, Moringa leaves can be used like spinach, though they are far more nutritious. Sorry Popeye. The leaves can be used fresh or dried into a powder. The leaves are an excellent source of vitamin A and C, a good source of B vitamins, and among the best plant sources of minerals. The calcium content is very high, iron is good enough to treat anemia — three times that of spinach — and it’s an excellent source of protein while being low on fats and carbohydrates. Said another way, Moringa leaves have seven times the Vitamin C of oranges, four times the calcium of milk, four times the vitamin A of carrots, three times the potassium of bananas, and two times the protein of yogurt. That’s quite a line up. The leaves also have the sulfur-containing amino acids methionine and cystine. Medically it is antibiotic and research shows it can be used to treat high blood pressure. A leaf tea is used by diabetics to help regulate their blood sugar. It is full of antioxidants, is anti-cancerous, and when eaten by mothers they give birth to healthier, heavier babies. A 28 December 2007 study said a root extract is very anti inflammatory.

In fact, let me quote you an earlier abstract from Phytotherapy Research 16 Sept 2006:

Now you know why they call it “The Miracle Tree.” It is being planted extensively in poorer areas of the world, some 400,000 trees in Rwanda alone.

To cultivate, soak the seeds for a day in water, plant in a peat pot. When six inches high, put in fertilized ground, and stand back! When it is six feet high cut the top off, forcing side shoots. Hang the top upside down in the shade and let it dry. Then grind the leaves into powder.

Today, approaching Valentines Day, I did my annual Moringa cut back. It takes about four hours, not counting nibbling and seed saving. Every year I promise myself I will trim them more often and every year they rocket to the sky. But that’s really not a problem. I just climb on the roof and collect dinner.

TIME OF YEAR: In zone nine Florida, it leaves most of the year, with seed pods in the late spring and summer.

ENVIRONMENT: Originally from India, planted in frost free areas around the world. Naturalized in many areas. Grows best in sand soil, tolerates poor soil. It loves sun and heat and can be grown from seed.

METHOD OF PREPARATION: Leave can be eaten raw or cooked like spinach, young seed pods can be cooked many ways, seeds are edible, cooked flowers taste like mushrooms, and the roots can be made into an occasional condiment.

Cut at least a foot…cut on a 45 degree angle and then plant the cutting about 8 inches deep…if it roots it will give you a different sort of plant…the branches come up from the root and you’ll get a lower fuller plant…better for a hedge line. I’m planting them all over…food growing in plain sight and ppl just think they’re scrub trees:-) Love it.

It will root i have cut down a tree and seeds keep growing in that area but the tree just keep growing when cut it down and moved it 60 foot away on top of the grown its still shooting away, new was for cook but not how super it was till today thank goodness it kept growing, your roots will grow even just a branch will.

Actually we usually plant a moringa tree using branch cutting here Indonesia. It’s very easy. We just cut an old branch about 1 meter long and just stick to almost any soil. No more than two weeks we could see leaves sprouting. By the way it doesn’t usually grows more than three meters tall around here. Moringa has been our favorite food source for ages. Beside it’s nutrious, it’s also delicious as a soup!

Hi- I dont have what you are seeking but I am happy to hear of a ‘lawn/landscape business’ person who is interested in more than blowing and going. Are you also interested in lowering the footprint of water use?

hello there william!
I am very interested in growing a moringa tree in a pot.
I grew up in the Philippines and remember eating moringga leaves and fruits during my childhood. Now approaching mid
50’s and more healthy conscious, I can’t wait to start the moringga experience again…
Please send your address so I can send back a self addressed envelope. thank you!!!

Hi, I am interested in the Moringa seeds and I was wondering if you still have them available? If you do please email me and let me know where I can mail you the self addressed envelope. I live in Northwest Arkansas and I know it is pretty cold right now but I have a really spacious sunroom where I can keep it until the last frost.

Hi Leslie, Have you gotten a chance to grow Moringa yet? I am sorry , have not been on this sight for a long while. Now I see all the interest. My tree is huge. I am not far from lakeland. Even if you want to send me a small self addressed envelope I could mail you some seeds. God bless

Hi Leslie. I also live in Lakeland and just saw this post. I was wondering, based on the date stamped, did you ever get to grow the tree? If you have, what were the results? Thank you for your time, from your Lakeland neighbor.

Wow , I have not been back here for so long and see all these people interested in growing. I am sorry I never got back to this post. I now have 3 trees and 1 is over 12 feet with flowers and seed pods. Lots of my Indian neighbors grow them. I give away seeds and leaves to friends but could not supply everyone here due to the shipping. Moringa source is where I bought my first seeds . Its a good company with lots to offer. I live in the Clermont Fl area . Anyone near there can get some free seeds . susandaytoday@hotmail.com . God bless you all .

Be careful what you wish for. My property owner decided to gift me with 2 trees down the side of my house. I was hopeful they would keep the sun off the house, but as the above article says, they shoot up and I was hacking 6 foot of growth every week. The neighbours are grateful because of the leaves I give them for making tea but they are now beyond my control and are towering at roof level. Ugly looking too.

Moringa leaves are just not for teas. The leaves and fruits are certainly delicious when cook with meat, poultry and seafood – that is if you know how to cook them with. Why else Asian people likes them?!!!! If you are making lasagna with spinach, try substituting with moringa leaves?

They sell young moringa trees here at the Flea Market, on Blanding and 103rd, Jacksonville, Florida in the summertime. Prices anywhere from $7.00 to $10.00 – depends on who is selling them. If you buy them from the original vendor, they are $7.00, but other vendors will buy them then re-sell them for $10.00.

From what I see for Dorchester County, where my family comes from, the Zone is 6a (correct me if wrong). That is pretty cold for a moringa tree. In Central California (Zone 8-9) it is a little cold, so people that have the tree, cut it back to about 3 feet and protect it. I have been bringing hot peppers back to life in the Spring with a small degree of protection, so I suspect that a reasonable about of protection would bring the moringa tree back in the Spring – I will find out the coming year as I am just getting into planting some of them. I have friends in Bakersfield who have been growing them for several years with success. Also, I am planning on taking cuttings in the Fall and growing them inside; if they get too large, I will get even with them by eating them. lol

My friends in Michigan keep the plants in pots. In the wintertime they put them inside their shed being warmed with heaters. The windows are covered with plastic to let the sun in. They take them out again when it’s warm and sunny outside. Sorta plants on wheels.

Howdy, Mr. Green Deane, Sir! Although you warn against it, I’d like to put my Moringa tree in the ground. Have you had to protect the Moringas at all during the winter? Heavy mulch? I live in the Orlando area, near OIA, and wonder if I should keep mine potted? I have some Piper methysticum in the ground that was not affected at all this winter, just to give you an idea.
I would also like to thank you for your informative newsletters and fine Youtube videos, sir. They are very important tools for all. Toodles!

I live in winter park and I was wondering if you could sell me a plant or tell me where I can buy the seeds or plant locally. The supplement is too expensive. I’ll check back on the site for a reply or email me. Thanks in advance.

I looked at a UTube video on the web where a man in Texas experience a cold spell that took out his moringa tree. The picture showed the tree cut to about 18 inches with hay bales around it for protection from the cold. It came back in March of last year and five months later it was 15 feet tall. The jury is still out here in Central California (Bakersfield) where friends had about 100 trees growing outside and they all died back this past (2014) winter. They are still (May) waiting to see how many will come back into growth. I told them about the hay bales and they will try that method this coming fall/winter. Another friend in the San Diego area lost his trees to frost and pulled them out of the ground; I told him that they would have probably returned into production and now he sorry for his rash act. I am trying to get my hands on some trees from a vendor in the SD area and have seeds in pots. More later . . .

Hi!! I leave in Winter park, is there a near place where I can get the seeds? I called a few places and nothing:(..I have a nice back yard and would love to have a Moringa tree.
Thanks for this great info!

I live in Columbus, GA (hardiness zone 8a), slightly outside the recommended growing area for moringa. Would it be possible to grow the tree here by coppicing it each year to the recommended three inches and mulching it for further protection?

It certainly works for banana trees. They have been grown as far north as zone 7 and also produce fruit. I think Orinoco, Mysore, Ice Cream and Viente Cohol are some of the recommended varieties. The banana growers cut the tree back, just before the first frost of the year, to a 3 to 4 foot stump. A tomato cage is placed around the stump and it is stuffed with shredded leaves. This should protect the tree until the spring, when it is removed and growth resumes. I guess you won’t know until you try.

I have been told that it is not good to have green leaves of any sort as they are not good to the liver. I hear you have to have them dried as when they are green they have toxic effects… are you saying that it is not an issue with this tree? I can have them like lettuces and cabbages?

Quite a few people in the world eat green tree leaves of varying species. Here in North AMerican the basswood leaves come to mind, as well as young elm leaves. Personally I like moringa leaves cooked. They have a bitter spicy-ness raw that I don’t care for.

I did not know the leaves could be eaten raw. Thank you. Its a weekly dish that I take to clean the bowels. They are delicious cooked with dhall (lentils). The plant can be grown with cuttings. I love your site.
Eswari

Hi Eswari Can you please email me with some more info on that weekly dish you make for bowels. I live in N Miami and would like to know how to get a plant for potting.
I would be grateful for any information atall
Thanks…Marjorie

Hi, Thank you so much for this information. I was tempted to by a Moringa today but was put off by the 40 dollar price tag and limited knowledge about the plant. I have a tiny yard. Glad I left the plant at the nursery. It is very interesting however.

I am growing 3 diferent typs of Moringa…The reguler type from India and PKM 1 Hybird from India, and an African Type I forgot the name.I live in Davie Florida…If anybody is interested..I have never shipped any before but can try.I grew alot of them last year gave most of them to my friends the 4 I have growing are very strong. About 98% of the seeds sprout even with the toads sleeping on top of them I just used the cheap compost from home depot.I allso have seeds…I want to see how the PKM-1 & the African variaty grow and and may allso have a few of them to sell.

http://feralkevin.com/ has a very interesting site regarding foraging for food. The word moringa does not show up on his site; he is located in Marin County which probably would not be a good location for the moringa unless precautions were taken. He is more into plants that can be foraged in the wild and the moringa apparently has not gone wild in Marin. Great county for wine though.

Hi Sandy
I also live in Davie.I have three trees of the Moringa O. and would be very interested in the other two you grow. I assume one is the Moringa S. I have Katuk, Okinawa Spinach, Edible Hibiscus, Cranberry Hibiscus, Taro, and Chaya to trade or I will buy them. Please contact me.
Bob
By the way- Moringa pods are delicious!!

Hello TropicBob! Just found this sight and am hoping to try to grow a moringa …am really interested in some of the others you mentioned in your post…I never knew/heard of these “edibles” -have a daughter with cancer and would love to boost her immune system naturally! I am in Miami and would love to connect for conversation and possible seed purchase! How can I contact you?

Hi Sandy,
I live in So Cal. I’m a member of the CRFG society. I’ve been reading more and more about Moringa plants and their healthful benefits. I’d be very interested in buying 5-10 seeds of each of the 3 types you have, if they’re available.
Please let me know what you can/want to do in this regard.
Thanks

I just heard about these trees and think it would be vary good to have them in times such as now. with all the uncertainly in the world today. I am not a person with a green thumb since I moved to NM ,but keep trying. I would probably have to keep it in a pot. but I vary interested.

Hi I live in north lauderdale not far from davie interested in the leaves maybe some seeds live in a town home condo can I place it in a plant pot and keep it at a minium without over growing please email me.

Hi Sandy, I would love to grow a moringo tree here in Alabama. Then to transfer back to my home in New Orleans, La. Please do you still have seeds or cuttings for sale? Email me lele504@gmail.com, Thanks

hi I’m interested in growing the three different variety moringa you have if you still have seeds/saplings I live in Hampton,Va 23669 can you contact me concerning price and shipping thanks
westbmore@ gmail.com

Hey i live in Austin txt im very sick with brain tumors and when i lived in ft Myers flip my boss had a tree we ate salads daily and i conquered the issues i was battling then so please i would like to try all three types if u got seeds for all three or whichever one u have all i know is I NEED A MORINGA TREE ASAP

Excellent plant…i think that i will risk it taking over.
Thanks for another great article.
BTW “oleifera” means “oil-bearing” referring to the seeds.
“sativus” is the most common name used to mean “cultivated”
eg Raphanus sativus , the radish

I never cared about this tree until I read your article. Then I bought a pack of seeds from Ebay, and planted them. Two out of six seeds grew, but the seedlings are quite hardy, so hopefully we’ll get some moringa soup next year. By the way, how do you use moringa to purify water? Thanks for making a moringa convert!

the miracle (moringa) tree is very impressive. we have planted it outside, 5 in a row in front of our wood 6 foot fence, yet in back of our blue- purple plumbago, purple petunias, and purple glory bush, which is the side edge of our seashell driveway. it has a very nice tropical look to it and provides shade and fertilizer from the trimmings that are cut and left on the ground to the plants which are blooming and thriving, and attract butterflies and bees.
we use it in salads, soups and souffles. yes, it does need trimming but not a problem, that it can cut it back easily to head or shoulder level, then cut into 4″ pieces that are used for mulch. we even took the branches, fresh cut without roots…. and planted them in the ground in our back yard and they are now 15-20 foot high and provide a privacy screen between our neighbors yard and us.

we highly recommend it, especially now that they are poisoning our seed supplies with gmo’s and food supply by sky- spraying 24/7 with chemtrail poisons of aluminum particulates, viruses, bacterias, fluoride, and multitudes of other things from the sky, and which now have cut our sunlight by atleast 20. %

Dear Green Deane,
Thank you for your time and information.
I was wondering if I can farm Moringa in Louisiana we’ve been trying to survive since the flood. Since we can sometimes go down to 33degrees here in Louisiana, do you think that Moringa will survive any future cold snaps.
Thank you for your thoughts
Let America feed America.
Give rise to small farms again.

I have just researched this miracle tree and have many health issues that I believe it would help. Also, I don’t have great luck with flowering plants other than roses. I would love to attempt to grow a few of them indoors as I live in southwestern Kentucky and understand that they wouldn’t live through our winters. If you would be so kind as to contact me regarding a way to attempt growing this plant to assist in my healing process. Thank you very much. V. Cardwell

I live in Jamaica and am very familiar with the Moringa. I boil the leaves green and make a tea from it. I keep it in the refrigerator and drink it every day sometimes twice or three times daily. Is there any limitation on your daily consumption?

My son started eating moringa leaves in 2005. He has Crohn’s Disease and the doctors had told him there was nothing more they could do, after he’d had 2 sections of his bowel removed. Today he is in complete remission and the doctor’s only comment “Don’t tell me about it. You’ll put me out of business”.
Now he grows moringa trees, harvests and processes the leaves and sells the dried moringa leaf powder at our local farmers market. We add the powder to so many things we eat now and we are all healthier for it.

This moringa tree or malunggay tree is not new to me. I used to eat the leaves when I was a little girl back in the Philippines. And now, I am doing alot of research about this particular plant. I have acquired moringa seeds (mail order) here in the U.S. It is pretty amazing what this tree can do to life.
I have started my seedlings this month of February 2013, hopefully I will have good germination rate. By the way, I live in northern California, in Sacramento valley. I will give it try (plant the tree) and see what happens!

Hi to all:We carry Moringa Oleifera plants and seeds.Over 10.000 plants to choose.Even we offer a set where you can grow your own plants,including the pots,the seeds ,potting soil and natural fertilizer plus the instructions.
Moringa can be planted in zone 9,10 and 11 outdoor and zone 7 and 8 in pots and keep inside in winter.
More information:
Moringa Place Llc.
moringaplace.commoringaplace@yahoo.com
facebook.com/moringa.place
Tweeter: @machipuma
1021 C Rd.
Loxahatchee,Florida,33470
561-633-8751

7 gallon can be good for the first 24 month and after you can use 15 to 20 gallons pots.The soil must be 3 parts of horse manure and one part of top soil or humus.Not over watering,just keep the soil light in humidity. For outside when is frozen time,you can cover the bottom of the trunck and the roots with mulch,2 feet around the trunk and a least 6 inches high.And cover the top of the tree with a Nylon sheet.

This is interesting !!!
I am tempted to do an invitation to any one who has a desire to visit East Africa and the same should have know-how on how to plant moringa so that could be our guest, whereby he may teach us on how best to plant moringa for the best result. Any body like that should should feel free to conduct us on our email. Thank you !!!

I am super tempted to visit East Africa!! 😛 The tree should grow well in Africa (most places – they handle drought well). Which country are you located?? Check out http://www.echonet.org/ too – I have bought some other trees from them – they should have tons of info for you and you can email them – they do lots of trainings for tropical/sub tropical edibles.

Moringa grows wild along the roads in Tanzania. Encouraging/showing its use is the challenge. It would help solve a problem verbalized by women in Morogoro that they have no vegetables during the dry months.

I recently found out about the Moringa Tree and Im interested in growing my own tree. I do have some concerns since I do see that the tree can grow to 35 feet if I read that correctly. My questions would be …How far away from the house should the tree be planted? I would not want to see the roots grow under the house or cause damage. The other question is can it be grown in a pot instead of in the ground? Do you know if wild animals are attracted to the plant?I live in a community but on a preserve I could easily plant them out on the preseve but would rather plant them closer to me since I own the property but not the preserve. The other question is, if the plant is constantly cut will the tree remain small? Thanks in advance for your advice.

Good day to you. I live in Barbados, West Indies and would like to get seeds of the three different Moringa plants please – The Regular Type from India, PKM 1 Hybird from India and one from Africa. Just tell me the price and you can post the seeds to me. Thank you.

We can offer you FREE 100 seeds for free-just pay for your own postage. We are located in Malawi,Africa. We have 30Ha of moringa trees and we export to Germany,South Africa and Mozambique.bvumbweexports@gmail.com

We planted kilometres of Moringa rows for stock food on our station 400 km south of Darwin in Australia’s Northern Territory.
They have gone crazy.
They are sprouting all over our 210 square kilometres.
The cattle eat the pods and have sown the seeds in their dung every where they go.
The trees need regular cutting back so cattle can reach the foliage, but this is not possible for us. Just to big a task and only us on our station.

I live in the Washington DC area (zone 6b). My 8-foot moringa tree is in a 5-gallon pot that lives indoors when the outside temperature goes down to 50 degrees. It loses its leaves inside my house that stays at 62-64 degrees in winter. In summer it has flowered but not produced seeds. I just lopped off the top half and stuck it in a pot, hoping it will root in a few weeks.

Hello Mary……We have just seen your Post. We am curious to know if you were able to grow a Moringa plant/tree successfully in Canada? We would like to do the same, if possible. Thanks for your advice.
Regards
Sue & Chris

Some of our local co op members (Central Florida) are growing and selling moringa organically (along with many other fruits, vegetables and plants). I have a young tree, just starting harvesting leaves. If you are in Pinellas or Pasco county, we have market days every Saturday even during the summer months. Moringa is available, you can order online at http://www.suncoastcoop.com and pickup on Saturdays in New Port Richey.

I only discovered Moringa late last year. I would like to get a plant and also some of the leaves to make the drink. I hear it is good for “hot flashes”. I live in Miramar, Florida. Please contact me thru my email.
Thanks.

i just got my seeds in the mail. i ordered them off Amazon,and they came from Thailand. i cant wait to plant them. i need to get some pots, i want to move them into the greenhouse later in winter, as we have hard freezes in my zone, 9A i believe im in. it can get into the 20s here for several hours during the early hours before dawn. hope they do well, im so excited to grow this plant!

Okay, I have done the research and am ready to plant a moringa but, . . . my wife suggested I ask you if it is possible we could taste some of your moringa leaves first. It would be nice to know if we like the flavor of the leaves before growing a tree (my wife is so smart). I lived in Orlando 30 years, my cousin lives in Maitland by St Mary Mag and we visit him often. Could we meet up somewhere and sample some of your leaves please?

We live in Celebration and have read a lot of great things about the Moringa tree. We want to plant it in our back yard. What is the best way to do it: from a seed or a small plant? I am a bit hesitant on buying a seed from a seed place.

I live in northwest Orlando, near Clarcona-Ocoee Road and Hiawassee Road near Wekiva. I would like to grow the Moringa Trees in my yard.
Can anyone help me get either the branches or seeds of the Moringa Trees from India, or point me in the right direction as to where I can get them, I would really appreciate it very much. Thanks a million … happy growing!

I am planning to plant one Million trees of moringa trees (Pmk1) originated from India, it will be In Somali land ( North Somalia) , to produce seeds , powder, honey . Am looking on how to market it in future.

Hi, I read your article and that was a great to know and understand the values of this wonderful God’s plant. Would I be able the get some plants if you have any. I live Central Florida and would love to grow it.

I started googling moringa last winter and now Im hooked. Im convinced of its value to people, animals, and the planet. Unfortunately The zone I live in is not freindly for this tropical wonder tree. So Ive resorted to growing them in buckets/5 gal. I enjoy eating the leaves on a regular basis every couple weeks. But that has kept my plants at a 3′ height and I think its hindering the leaf production. A few questions I have to those that know from experience. How many extablished plants in planters 5 gal minimum do I need to get regular/weekly harvests? What size planters will alow the tree to grow pods? If I eat leaves from the plants regular basis will that stop flowering?…anyone?

I have one Moringa tree in my backyard. I have had it for two years. You say prolific I didn’t think so. Until today.
I was on site yesterday looking at your weed section for what constitutes a weed. This morning I was looking in my yard and looking down at the grass at all the different weights I had. And to my surprise guess what I found.
Moringa. It’s a groundcover.
Itsy-bitsy little pink flowers, Those tiny little beat pods that you can’t hardly see And the particularly The leaves. I went over to the Maringa tree. Double check the leaves. Compared them, Tasted them, Yep it’s the same thing.
So I picked myself a bunch of leaves with the flowers and the little Beanpots.
There in my sink now I put them in a little bit of water and I’m going to clean them after I write this email. Guess what we’re having as a side dish. My first ever true foraged side dish.

I ordered Moringa seeds from Amazon and rareseeds.com. Planted 16 from rareseeds and 15 sprouted. Nibbled on the sprouts and loved it. Tastes like watercress. Can’t wait for them to grow and add to salads, etc.
We’re in O’Brien (south of Lake City & Live Oak). I’m willing to pass along a few seeds if anyone is interested. Even willing to mail some as a trade for WILD Purslane seeds. (The yellow blooming one, not the pink blooms.)

I am so in love with this tree & it’s world value. I have 2 + acres of open pasture in Sarasota Co. I have never seen one fully grown. How many per acre in the ground or in large pots of soil. We have a good water source.

Hi, I just received some of the seeds from a family friend that had me start some of them for her because she was not able to propagate them. In return for getting them started she gave me some also. I can only say that after reading all the info on this tree I am excited to get one growing and harvest the leaves and pods from it. How long before it forms pods if anyone knows?

I have been growing this species in my Lakeland nursery for about three years and have been trying to figure out what the best way would be to sell them. The young seedlings are so soft that they didn’t do so well when shipped. The stems easily get bent if not supported from the start and can make a not so great looking tree. It wasn’t until this season that I decided just to top off all the seed grown plants and let them branch out from the short main stem, and these plants are holding up a lot better. I’m very pleased how these are holding up now. They seem to do pretty well in containers, but for those who want to try this, it is interesting to note that these plants have a large carrot like taproot with little secondary roots while it is small. Starting in deeper pots instead of wider pots makes a fast,huge taproot that will help it grow even faster later on. Cutting the new growth back after 2 leaf nodes are produced helps make a bushier plant that will produce more leaf material within a height that can be easily reached. I like using the new leaves in a salad. I think older leaves get a little bitter and are better if cooked like greens. These are great plants, and I’m glad I already had greenhouses for me to grow these in.

I saw a Utube video where the lady plants the seeds in toilet paper and paper towel cardboard rolls in six inch pots. When they reach the point where they are ready to go into larger pots, they are easy to handle with the roots being protected by the cardboard rolls. The worms like the cardboard too. Her very interesting site is:http://www.moringatreeoflife.com/

ECHO farms in North Forth Myers, FL 33917, http://www.echonet.org, has lots of information on Moringa. They sell moringa seeds, plants and publications in the bookstore. An amazing place. I saw a demonstration on its benefits, quite extensive, and they had a simple large sun dryer that they made. Take a tour if you can. Their mission is to reduce hunger and improve lifes worldwide. I bought a bag of leaves, dried them in a paper bag and now sprinkle it my food. It doesn’t have a strong taste. I wish I had land to grow it in Sarasota.

My trees did really well last year, but they have to be grown as an annual here since they die each winter if left outside. I get my seeds off ebay, but there is usually some trouble trying to import them, so I stick with people selling them here in America.

Great article Dean, I have 4 of these beauties in my yard and like you said, they grown amzaingly quick! I planted mine 2 months ago at a foot high in the middle of our driest summer on record (Gold Coast QLD Aust) and they are now 7 foot tall after only watering them once after the intial watering when I planted them.
I juice heaps so I’ve started using them quite heavily and they are responding brillantly.
Thanks heaps for your wonderful knowledge and caring enough to share
I’m about to buy a few Sweet leaf – sauropus androngynus’s and give them a go as well.
All the best from OZ
John

Hello from Florida. ( hey my son & g’friend just moved to Oz….Gold Coast, Bond Univ….(Law) ….they love your beautiful country!! )
Do you have pics of your Moringa tree? We just went to ECHO here in Ft. Myers and are trying to germinate seeds and plant the Moringa saplings that we got. We are a bit nervous that they grow so quickly.
We are from Canada ….& come to Florida as” snowbirds” each winter. We have Aussie family and hope to see them next winter. Maybe we will bring some Moringa seeds……but is that permitted through Customs. Where did you obtain your seeds? Asia or USA . Thanks.
Cheers. Sue & Chris

The Moringa seeds and Pigeon Pea seeds I got from Bill Bilodeau at Gaia’s Guardians have germinated. The Moringa took nine days to germinate planted at 1.5 times the seed diameter. The Pigeon Peas took six days planted about a half inch deep. I also received, out of his kindness and generosity a couple plants of Katuk, Horsemint and Dawn Dewa from his private collection.

If you live in their area, these people deserve some help and support.
Gaia’s Guardians is a half acre demonstration garden of permaculture located adjacent to a safe house ministry for veterans in St Pete. The safe house clients help in the garden and use it as a supplemental food source for the safe house ministry. They do tours on most Sundays. And meet on the second Tuesday of each month.

I heard that some people believe the moringa is related to the tree of life. Not sure that someone believes that, but this tree has so many benefits it would at least run a close second place. Knowing it’s benefits, you would not go wrong to add it to your garden.
At ECHO, I was told it does quite well in large pots and will grow 6-10 ft in a year. If you are traveling I-75 through S Florida, take the Bayshore Road Exit in North Fort Myers and go East one mile to ECHO (Environmental Concerns for Hunger Org). It is worth the stop. You will not be disappointed. Amazing!

I was a hopeless diabetic now free from the gross injections due to the benefits of Moringa. I’m looking for the fresh leaves and live in a small town just north of West Palm Beach, Fl. Also a starter tree and support to get started. please email at discoverwithin@juno.com. Thank God for the tree and the person who developed this website.

hi, I am also hopeless. My mother is diabetic and her sugars are all over the place from low 40’s to 500’s She is insulin dependent and the doctors just tell her to take more insulin. its a constant rollercoster with her sugar. Does the morenga really work. and if so how can I get some.

Hi, I am also a diabetic and would love to try the Moringa, and have a tree of my own, I live in Lake Worth Florida,
My question is how long can the plant stay in a pot if grown inside, will it get fruits if grown in the pot. My home is on a small property, I am concern about the roots with the water line and the fundation of the house. Does anyone know it they will be effected?

Does anyone know where I can get the seeds, fruit, powder, leaves or plants around my area? I am really excited to try this plant for my family.

I have a huge moringa stenopetala, about 5 years old, with about 5 trunks because it was cut back to a stump at about 3 years old. It is obviously very healthy but never has pods. Every year in summer I get lots of blossums but never pods. This is a mystery to me. Have you any experience or data on this?

We are now selling seeds harvested August 2014 grown in sunny Florida and hand picked with tender loving care. We harvest seeds about every four months. Fall is a good time to buy seeds if you live in the north. Seeds can not be shipped to northern climates during freezing weather. Buy now and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 years until planning….because our seeds are always fresh off the tree.

If you would like inexpensive seedlings…I have about 30-50 just about an inch to 2 inches tall and another 50 soaking. My sister worked for a plant nursery here that went bankrupt and I had to find a way for her to enjoy her hobby and still make a bit of money. The seedlings are 3 for $20 and they’re growing about 1/2 inch per day. The saplings will be ready in a few weeks and they’ll be 2 for $25 to include shipping in SC. Outside of SC we have to add fire ant killer to mix so a few dollars more for shipping. Mary in Charleston, SC (email is best)

Hi, I live in Lehigh Acres Fl, and would LOVE to be able to get any form of Moringa from someone who may be in the area so I could pick it up. I can’t pay much right now but maybe we could trade for something? I have lots of ferns and nopal (opuntia) cactus, or let me know what you could use and I can try to help. You can e-mail me direct (subject: Moringa) at chargc@gmail.com Thank-you so much in advance!

I regularly sell fresh, organic moringa leaves in Craigslist. I am in Hollywood, FL. Anybody interested can just drop by and will pick it fresh from the tree. You can make your own tea or powder with it. It makes an excellent soup. Send me an email: bobmagbanua@gmail.com.

If you live in the Orlando area you can get moringa from Tom Carey at Sundew Gardens just behind UCF. You can look it up online. I do not know if he sells trees, seedlings or seeds. My daughter used to work for him as a volunteer. She gave me cuttings from four saplings he gave her to take up to a farm in Pensecola. His place is very interesting all by itself and provides fresh produce for several restaurants around town.

So many of this moringa tree grows at my backyard,I always thought them to be unwanted trees,so I often cut them off but no matter how much I do they come up again…but today,I have known its so important to life,so am never gonna cut it again,but take care of it…Thanks to God for the Miracle tree sent to me.

you mentioned bringing them inside for winter, being so big, is there a pot big enough to keep them standing in strong winds? they’d love our summers but we have long winters. I’d happily pot them if it would work. thank you

I live in Dallas, Texas and I would love to buy a Himalayas variety of Moringa Oleifera plant. I saw 1 nursery who sell African variety of Moringa Oleifera but I want the Himalayas version. Do you know anybody who sells a Himalayas variety Moringa Oleifera Plant? Please email me.

I just want to say that moringa seeds are inexpensive at ECHO in Fort Myers. To get to ECHO, take I-75 to Bayshore Exit (N side of river) and go about a mile East of I-75 toward the civic center. There will be a sign and you turn left.

They do well in large pots on the lanai. If Johnny Appleseed knew about moringa, he would have sowed the countryside with it. In fact, I plant them here and there. Churches should plant at least one to supplement their food pantries.

I wouldn’t necessarily say that having a tree as beneficial to your health as Moringa growing at an overwhelming rate is a bad thing. That would mean that it is easily available, and replenishes fast. Considering how much it can help solve global issues, this makes it the perfect candidate

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